The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a summary of consultation and the government’s response on proposed reforms to the environmental permitting framework for industrial emissions. A total of 173 responses were received, with broad support for the proposals, although many respondents suggested additional objectives. Respondents emphasised that permitting should enable growth without compromising environmental and public health protections. In its response, the government confirmed that, alongside the Environment Agency, it is rolling out a permitting transformation programme to modernise the service through digital, regulatory and business changes, making it more efficient and adaptable. Defra will also be piloting a Lead Environmental Regulator model to streamline oversight of major projects involving multiple regulators, addressing duplication, delays and inefficiencies identified in an independent review. In terms of next steps, Defra will progress to detailed policy development, with phased consultations between 2026–2027 on priority areas including carbon capture, improvements to the UK Best Available Techniques system, net zero sectors and emerging technologies.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the summary of responses and government response to the consultation on the protection of hedgerows and wildlife in England. This consultation received 8,841 responses, highlighting clear support from farmers and environmental groups. Overall, the respondents agree that hedgerows are a valuable and important resource and should therefore be protected through regulation. As a result, the government has confirmed that English hedgerows will be protected in law, setting out plans for domestic hedgerow regulations. A further consultation will be published on the statutory guidance to establish the suitable enforcement approach.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the summary of responses and its response to the joint consultation with the Scottish Government on implementing Part IV of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). The consultation sought views on proposed amendments to the marine licensing regime under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA 2009), as well as evidence on activities in ABNJ. The government will proceed with Option 1, extending the list of licensable marine activities in ABNJ to include those currently licensable in UK waters, while exempting activities that do not meet the EIA or de minimis thresholds. The regime will apply to activities within UK control or jurisdiction, including those undertaken or controlled by a UK person or carried on from a British vessel, aircraft or marine structure. Defra will maintain existing exemptions under the Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 where they apply in ABNJ, retain the exemption for cable laying and maintenance, and introduce a new exemption for cable removals (except where explosives are used). A specific exemption for marine scientific research from government vessels will not be introduced at this stage. For spacecraft activity deposits, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) may defer to an Assessment of Environmental Effects under the Space Industry Act 2018 (SIA 2018) where available. Defra will proceed with a self-determination process for the de minimis threshold using an automated screening system, with minor amendments and supporting guidance to follow and the MMO will charge Band 3 fees for licence applications and screening, while activities below the de minimis threshold will not be charged for the self-determination process.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the summary of responses and government response to the consultation on polychlorinated biphenyls regulations. The consultation ran from 19 May 2023 to 30 June 2023 in collaboration with the Welsh Government and sought views on proposed changes to the Environmental Protection (Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, SI 2000/1043, as amended by the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 SI 2020/489. The consultation received 11 responses. The UK and Welsh Government will proceed with the proposed changes set out in the consultation documents.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the second edition of the International Environmental Protection Report, covering international policy and legislative developments in environmental protection and climate mitigation and adaptation between April 2024 and March 2026. The report surveys major developments across eight multilateral organisations, the EU and around 25 countries to identify global best practice that could inform future UK environmental policy. The report identifies almost 60 developments relating to environmental quality, the circular economy, climate change, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. According to the report, notable developments include the adoption of the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality, continued Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, expansion of circular economy and extended producer responsibility policies and the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. It also highlights a growing focus on translating long-term climate commitments into legally binding frameworks and operational tools, while noting that not all legislative developments were progressive, citing reductions in funding for certain environmental programmes in the US.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a statement on the upcoming plastic pollution treaty negotiations, signed by businesses and financial institutions. This follows a roundtable held ahead of the fifth session of negotiations to establish a global plastic pollution treaty (INC-5), where participants considered key elements that should be included in the treaty text, focusing on the global rules and financing to address plastic pollution. The statement is open for signing by private sector organisations and endorsement by non-private sector organisations from 6 November 2024 until the start of INC-5 on 25 November 2024.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a list of designated responsible bodies able to enter into conservation covenant agreements (CCAs) with landowners in England. A CCA is a voluntary, private agreement to conserve the natural or heritage features of land. Landowners are able to approach designated responsible bodies to set up a CCA.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a statutory progress report on the implementation of the storm overflows discharge reduction plan (SODRP), as required under section 141B of the Water Industry Act 1991. Covering August 2022 to August 2025, the report assesses progress against targets to reduce the frequency and impact of storm overflow discharges in England. Key findings include an improvement in ecological targets near high priority sites from 22.6% in 2022–23 to 33.7% in 2024–25, while progress on reducing harmful discharges near designated bathing waters remains limited, with compliance falling to 44.8% in 2024. Preliminary modelling shows early progress toward the 2050 rainfall target, with 42.9% of overflows spilling ten times or fewer annually.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its statutory response to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) review of environmental inspections and their implementation in England, pursuant to section 29 of the Environment Act 2021. Defra's response addresses eight of OEP's recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency, consistency, and evidence-based approaches within inspection regimes.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its response to the Office for Environmental Protection's (OEP) review of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and their contribution to England's nature recovery commitments. The response, required under section 29 of the Environment Act, addresses seven recommendations from the OEP's review aimed at improving how Local Nature Recovery Strategies deliver national nature recovery objectives.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a summary of the guidance issued to reporting organisations for the fourth round of the Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP4), focusing on climate risk assessments and adaptation action planning. Although the formal reporting window for ARP4 closed on 31 December 2024, organisations may still submit reports or climate risk assessments to inform government policy development on UK climate resilience. The guidance summary is intended to assist organisations in: (1) conducting climate risk assessments in preparation for ARP5, anticipated to run from late 2026 to 2029; and (2) updating existing or previous assessments.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a summary of responses to its consultation on proposed reforms to the WaterSure support scheme, confirming that it intends to amend the regulations to modernise eligibility criteria and bill-capping arrangements. The consultation sought views on extending qualifying benefits to include certain non-means-tested disability benefits, revising the bill cap so that it is set at the lower of the average metered or unmetered charge, introducing a cap for single-occupier households, removing discretionary requirements for medical evidence, and expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions. Defra states that respondents were broadly supportive of the proposed reforms, although some industry stakeholders highlighted practical implementation issues. It has confirmed that it will bring forward secondary legislation to give effect to the changes. In addition to the regulatory changes, updated guidance will be introduced to support implementation and promote recognised best practice.